By Robert Scucci
| Published 8 seconds ago

Most subgenres fall into the same trap because certain beats and motifs have to be utilized. That’s what subgenres are. The pitfall that lesser films fall into is not knowing how to elevate a premise that’s inherently derivative, which is why there are so many dime-a-dozen psychological thrillers, slashers, and, in the case of 2002’s Panic Room, home invasion flicks.

But here’s the thing about David Fincher, the film’s director: he’s insanely good at taking a concept that seems boilerplate at face value and elevating it in a way that keeps it interesting. Panic Room, for all intents and purposes, is contrived. It’s stock by design. It’s a story about three guys breaking into a house where a woman and her pre-teen daughter live alone, and then fighting for survival with whatever limited resources they have at their disposal.

Panic Room Is Shot Like No Other Home Invasion Flick

If you’re a fan of thrillers, you probably lost count of how many home invasion flicks you’ve watched because they all start blending together. David Fincher knew this, so he flipped the entire subgenre on its head by going for a “cameraless” effect that allowed him to shoot impossibly long tracking shots that appear to happen in one unbroken take. His goal was to imply that “there’s no camera operator, no crew, and no track,” meaning the camera could go anywhere.

The result is a series of shots that start in the downstairs kitchen, work their way through cabinets, walls, and air ducts, push up winding flights of stairs, and, in some cases, float through the ceiling into the floor above. What’s most impressive is that, for a 2002 production, the computer-generated imagery never breaks the immersion. Like The Shining, it’s almost as if we’re seeing the entire story unfold from the house’s perspective, which allows the viewer to keep tabs on every character like a fly on the wall hopping from room to room undetected.

This shooting method is what makes Panic Room a cut above its contemporaries because no other home invasion film looks quite like this one. Coupled with David Koepp’s tight screenplay and the talent of its small cast, what would otherwise be a simple premise becomes a Hitchcockian nightmare that keeps you watching because it all feels so fresh.

A Yawn-Fest In Theory, A Masterclass In Practice

I’ll keep the synopsis brief here because Panic Room, like most home invasion plots, really doesn’t have much going on. How these things escalate is what really matters.

When Meg Altman (Jodie Foster) moves into a new NYC home with her 11-year-old daughter, Sarah (Kristen Stewart), they’re surprised to learn that the home’s previous owner, an eccentric millionaire, had an impenetrable panic room built in the master bedroom complete with closed-circuit televisions, a hard-wired telephone, and food rations. The day gets away from our protagonists, and Meg falls asleep before finishing the setup of some of the communications devices in the miniature bunker.

As luck would have it, three criminals, Junior (Jared Leto), Burnham (Forest Whitaker), and Raoul (Dwight Yoakam), have been casing the joint because the previous owner was Junior’s grandfather, and Junior has reason to believe millions of dollars are hidden inside the secret room.

They show up in the middle of the night while Meg and Sarah are sleeping, but Meg wakes up, realizes they’re being robbed, grabs Sarah, and retreats to the panic room so she can collect her thoughts and figure out her next move. The emergency phone line isn’t properly set up, but she can still communicate with the criminals through the intercom, and they refuse to leave until they get what they came for.

That’s the entire plot to Panic Room. Like I said, pretty standard stuff because if you’ve seen one home invasion movie, you’ve pretty much seen them all.

Why It’s A Cut Above

The movie really starts cooking when we get frantic shots from the house’s perspective, showing us where the criminals are wandering, what Meg and Sarah are seeing through the closed-circuit cameras, and creating a palpable amount of tension during the scenes that really matter, like when Meg realizes she dropped her cellphone near her bed before locking down and starts calculating whether she can run out, grab it, and make it back to safety.

It’s not just the “camera” work in Panic Room that seals the deal, however, because the criminals constantly getting into it with each other adds additional layers of tension to the mix. Jared Leto is perfect as the entitled loudmouth with a Napoleon complex because he genuinely believes he deserves his grandfather’s bearer bonds. He’s so unlikeable and shortsighted that he brings along Raoul to help with the job, something Burnham isn’t thrilled about from the jump.

So we have an unhinged, idiotic leader and an unpredictable bruiser willing to take extreme measures, including killing the family in the house, if he has to. That leaves Burnham, the only criminal with a conscience. The reason he’s valuable to Junior is because he installs safe rooms for a living and potentially knows how to crack them if he can properly size up the job. His reluctance to follow through makes the dynamic work because nobody was supposed to be in the house that night, and he genuinely feels terrible about how complicated things have become for Meg and Sarah.

In an ideal world, the robbery would have been a victimless crime. Three guys break into a home that nobody has moved into yet and steal money from a dead guy that nobody else knows exists. The alleged simplicity of the job compared to how the evening actually plays out makes the whole thing feel exponentially more disastrous because now Meg and Sarah are fearing for their lives, especially when the zero-hour trope gets added to the mix in the form of Sarah needing insulin to prevent her from falling into a diabetic coma.

Every single beat and setup in Panic Room is derivative. Every single escalation is expected. Every single trope is celebrated. But the movie never feels like a slog to get through. You go into this movie knowing exactly how it’s going to end, but it’s such a wild ride getting there that you simply do not care that you’ve seen so many different versions of this same story before.

If there’s one thing that took me out of the movie, it was how quickly Meg adapted to certain situations. Not because I don’t believe in the concept of a strong, independent woman or anything like that, but because your average person simply isn’t going to be this prepared for a home invasion, especially one that starts while they’re sleeping. There’s no way to practice for this kind of scenario, especially in a house you literally moved into earlier that day.

Still, if the only thing that really bothers me is the fact that somebody learned the floor plan to their own house faster than I ever reasonably could, I’d say Fincher and company did a hell of a job here.

Panic Room holds up nearly 25 years later for all of these reasons. It’s a run-of-the-mill story that feels completely original because of the creative choices behind its production. Jared Leto getting put in his place by his much bigger, much more intimidating henchman also put a smile on my face, because why wouldn’t it?

As of this writing, you can stream Panic Room on Hulu.

Brooke Shields says it was “difficult” allowing her daughter, Rowan Henchy, to join season 2 of Bravo’s “Next Gen NYC.” During a new interview, the “Hannah Montana” actress also got real about the fears she had surrounding the series.

Speaking with Entertainment Weekly, Shields, 60, touched on her daughter’s journey into the world of unscripted television, admitting it was challenging for her to get on board at first.

“This has been a really difficult journey for me because I would say to her, ‘We’re not a reality family. That’s just never been our MO,’” she said.

Continuing, Shields admitted she was a bit nervous about how her daughter’s role in the upcoming batch of episodes could impact her down the line.

“And I got very nervous that it might affect her or somehow hinder a career that she wants to have in broadcast news and journalism. That’s what she studied at university,” said Shields.

Brooke Shields Said She Was ‘Sick To My Stomach’ After Learning Her Daughter Was Approached To Join Reality Show

Shields shared a similar message just days ago, according to a previous report from The Blast, admitting she didn’t know how to feel at first because she got her start differently.

“They didn’t have reality shows, that’s a different….,” Shields said. “And you were not praised for bad behavior. Bad behavior was not really the goal. So a lot of rating is geared towards that.”

Elsewhere, Shields said she was “sick to my stomach” over the news, but after some time, she changed her tune and encouraged her daughter to use the platform for good.

“I said, ‘Look, don’t be a [mess] up. You know? Be the one, the voice of reason, and if you’re gonna parlay this’ — I mean it’s Bravo and Peacock, she wants to be in broadcast journalism, and she also likes being on camera — so I said, ‘See if you can translate that into another opportunity, and it’s a business choice you’re making,” she said.

Will Bravo Viewers See Brooke Shields In The Upcoming Season Of ‘Next Gen NYC’?

Despite her worries, Shields will make a few appearances on the show throughout the season. During her conversation with Entertainment Weekly, Shields said that she filmed a little bit for the series to support her daughter.

“I said, ‘Look, I will do one, maybe two episodes for you, but nobody’s putting any words into my mouth, and I don’t want them to let you put any words into your mouth, and I don’t want you to try to morph into somebody with bad behavior just because it’s going to create ratings,’” Shields said.

Shields went on to say that she also encouraged her daughter to showcase a different version of herself on camera. “And I said, ‘Be the girl holding back the hair for the person throwing up. Don’t be the thrower-upper.’ And she was very grounded in it, and I’m very proud of her because she is using it,” she said.

‘Next Gen NYC’ Will Return To Bravo In June 2026

Season 2 of “Next Gen NYC” will return to Bravo in June 2026. In addition to Henchy, Bravo viewers will be introduced to fellow newbies Liam Obergfoll and Kendall White.

Ariana Biermann, Riley Burruss, Emira D’Spain, Brooks Marks, Ava Dash, Gia Giudice, Georgia McCann, Charlie Cakkour, Shai Fruchter, and Hudson McLeroy are all returning to the series.

According to the show’s synopsis, season 2 is “anything but chill.” It also read: “The pace is faster, the hustle is louder, and for this New York City crew, life in the city that never sleeps is a full-on reality check. Everyone’s trying to build a life that feels authentic – but also aesthetic.”

What Other Shows Are Slated To Return To Bravo This Summer?

Bravo viewers are in for a treat this summer, as season 20 of “The Real Housewives of Orange County” is scheduled to return, featuring Tamra Judge, Heather Dubrow, and OG of the OC Vicki Gunvalson.

“… I miss filming. I missed my girls. I missed the joy of being an Orange County Housewife,” Gunvalson said in a previous interview, according to The Blast.

Also, NeNe Leakes will make her grand return to Bravo in August when “The Real Housewives: Ultimate Girls Trip” airs in honor of the franchise’s 20th anniversary.

Actress Vivica A. Fox is getting real about some of the negative comments she’s received about her body. In a recent interview, the award-winning performer said she’s experienced many physical changes over the years with age, adding that the critical statements about her appearance have been difficult for her to digest.

Speaking with Yahoo Entertainment on May 21, Fox, who is starring in the film “Is God Is,” acknowledged that her body has changed over the years, saying, “I’m a woman of a certain age, and, you know, life changes.”

The actress, who has been a mainstay in the acting industry since the ’80s, said that while she’s aware of how life works, others around her seemed to have forgotten.

“The body changes. You’re not going to be the same size that you were when you were 19, 20 years old. But people forget that sometimes and they can say very mean things to you,” she said.

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Vivica A. Fox Says She Does Her Best To ‘Keep It Tight And Right’

Fox has been the subject of conversation lately, with many commenting on her physical appearance. Despite the reactions, Fox said she does what she can to ensure she looks her best when she steps out in public.

“I do my best, honey, to keep it tight and right, but I’m still human,” Fox said before noting how grateful she feels to be alive and thriving.

“I’m in a business that you get judged by your looks constantly … sometimes people don’t allow you the grace to age, to be normal, to live a little bit, to have children, to look a little bit more mature, to age. To age is a blessing and a beautiful thing,” she said.

Vivica A. Fox Is Happy Hollywood Is Starting To Tell Stories For People Of Color

According to a previous report from The Blast, Fox expressed her gratitude that Hollywood is finally starting to tell stories for people of color—especially Black women.

Her new film, “Is God Is,” follows twin sisters who set out on a cross-country journey to avenge their abusive father.

The project stars Kara Young, Mallori Johnson, and Janelle Monáe, and, according to Fox, it’s about time audiences saw a story told by a group of outstanding Black actresses.

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“I think, finally, people are getting to appreciate African American female stories and to give them opportunities to play out their stories,” she said. “Our stories are being embraced and being told and being funded and being acted out by some amazing actresses.”

Other Celebrities Have Embraced Getting Older

Fox isn’t the only A-lister who has been open about aging as a woman in the entertainment industry. According to Vogue, “Blackish” actress Tracee Ellis Ross said she was fully embracing getting older.

“I personally have always loved getting older, like genuinely, I think it’s an honor to get older,” she said. “Not everybody gets to get older, and I’m not sure why we don’t look at it that way.”

And for Ross, the daughter of the iconic Diana Ross, getting older is about more than just physical appearance. The “Girlfriends” actress said she’s also learned more about herself over the years.

“I intuitively know how to handle things that used to baffle me. I know when it’s time to leave a party. I know that ‘no’ is a complete sentence. And this is wonderful,” she said.

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Gwyneth Paltrow Shared A Similar Message About The Aging Process In A 2021 Interview

Echoing what Ross said was Gwyneth Paltrow, according to PEOPLE.

She admitted during a 2021 interview with the outlet that while she’s made critical comments about herself, she was also working to counter them with positive thoughts.

“For me, as I go through the aging process and really start it, I realize it’s less about, ‘Oh, I have this wrinkle, am I going to fix it or not?’ And more, ‘Do I feel vibrant?’” she said.

Paltrow went on to say that as an older adult, she’s “grateful” for what comes with age.

And Beyoncé also chimed in on the conversation around aging on her 40th birthday, saying, “This is the first year that I really understand what it means to be alive and in the moment.”

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“It’s the first time that I have an understanding of how fragile life truly is, how hard life can be at times, and therefore how important it is to stop and smell the roses during the good times,” she added. “Whoever tried to condition women to feel that we are supposed to feel old or unhappy when we turn 40 got it ALL THE WAY F’d UP.”

Stewart “Stew” McLean was best known for appearing in Virgin River before his disappearance and death made headlines in May 2026.

On May 18, 2026, McLean was reported missing to the Squamish Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) after last being seen at his Lions Bay, British Columbia home three days prior.

Three days after McLean’s disappearance was being investigated as a missing person’s case, the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team stepped in to help with the search. The police’s running theory is that McLean could potentially be a murder victim.

On May 22, Canada’s Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) announced via a press release that McLean’s remains had been found in the Lions Bay area.

The authorities have yet to reveal if there are any suspects in the case or theories about what may have happened to McLean.

Keep scrolling for everything to know about McLean following his death:

Who Did Stewart McLean Play in ‘Virgin River’?

Virgin River was McLean’s last project before his disappearance. The actor played a barfly on season 7 of the Netflix drama, which premiered in March 2026. According to McLean’s IMDB page, he appeared in one episode.

What Other Acting Roles Has Stewart McLean Had?

McLean made his acting debut in an uncredited role in the student film Snow Falcon. He has appeared in multiple shows including Supernatural, Arrow, Blue Steele, Travelers, Beyond, The 100, Siren, Murder in a Small Town and more. He also starred in the series Cloud Van Tales, which aired from 2019 to 2020.

In addition to appearing in several TV series, McLean was best known for his work on short films. He had roles in 2015’s Buddy Cops, 2016’s Detective Williams, 2017’s Uniforms, 2018’s Return to Sender and more.

Has Stewart McLean Received Any Awards?

McLean was recognized alongside the rest of the cast of the 2017 short film Uniforms. They received a nomination for Best Ensemble at the Houston Comedy Film Festival at the time.

What Happened to Stewart McLean?

The Squamish RCMP began looking into McLean’s disappearance on May 18, 2026. The following day, the police asked for public assistance in locating the actor as the Lions Bays Search and Rescue led the initial search. Two days later, it was revealed that authorities were theorizing McLean could be a homicide victim.

“On May 20, IHIT deployed and assumed conduct of the investigation. Squamish RCMP continues to work closely with IHIT and the Integrated Forensic Identification Service (IFIS) to advance the investigation,” the press release read. “Squamish RCMP initiated an investigation and, through investigative efforts, uncovered evidence that led investigators to believe Mr. McLean was a victim of homicide.”

When was Stewart McLean found dead?

Canada’s Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) announced via a press release on May 22 that McLean had been found dead in Lions Bay following his disappearance.

His death was also confirmed by Lucas Talent Inc. talent agent, Jodi Caplan, who shared a tribute via Facebook the same day.

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“It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to our beloved client, Stew McLean,” the statement read. “I was fortunate to have worked with Stew for more than 10 years.”

The statement continued: “He was always such a pleasure to deal with — dedicated, professional, eager, and endlessly funny. Many casting directors have reached out to share their condolences with Stew’s family and with our agency, and every message says the same thing: what a truly great guy he was, and how deeply he will be missed. Rest in peace, Stew. xo”

Law enforcement is asking that anyone with information regarding McLean’s disappearance or the investigation call the IHIT information line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or by email at ihitinfo@rcmp–grc.gc.ca.

Zendaya reportedly made her fiancé, Tom Holland, and costar Matt Damon green with jealousy on the set of Christopher Nolan’s epic “The Odyssey” after receiving major praise from the filmmaker.

The theme has seemingly come up one too many times, as reports also suggest the actress previously seethed over Holland’s close interaction with Sydney Sweeney on the set of “Euphoria.”

Zendaya has since reflected on starring in “The Odyssey” and “Spider-Man” with Holland, saying the experience felt like “coming home.”

Zendaya’s actions on the set of her and Holland’s upcoming film, “The Odyssey,” reportedly left the actor jealous, according to revelations from their costar Matt Damon.

In a recent interview with ELLE, the actor explained that he and Holland bonded over some hilarious behind-the-scenes jealousy, as they could not get over the effusive praise Nolan heaped on the 29-year-old actress while on set.

“Chris is known for being very circumspect,” Damon said. “[But for] Zendaya, there were takes where she did one thing, she did this amazing scene, and he said, ‘Cut.’ And then he went, ‘Perfect!’”

He continued, “Literally, Tom and I were obsessed with this. She got a ‘perfect?’ I’ve never even gotten a ‘great.’ She got a ‘perfect?’ He and I b-tched about it for the entire rest of the film. ‘Did you get anything today?’ ‘No, I got a ‘good’ — moving on.’ ‘Yeah, me too.’”

Christopher Nolan Gushes Over His Star’s ‘Goddess Energy’

In the film, Damon plays Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, whose story follows his ten-year journey home after the Trojan War.

Zendaya stars as Athena, the goddess of wisdom who protects Odysseus during his long voyage, while Holland plays Telemachus, the son of Odysseus and Penelope, portrayed by Anne Hathaway.

Nolan gushed over how well the “Euphoria” star brought her character to life, even while juggling a demanding schedule. The actress recalled being on the set of the HBO drama series while simultaneously perfecting her lines for “Dune.”

Despite missing some of her lines, Nolan took it in stride and praised how she handled the pressure.

“I mean, she’s literally playing a goddess; it’s a tall order. She’s a true movie star, but also an incredible actor,” Nolan said.

How Holland Reportedly Made Zendaya Jealous

Meanwhile, jealousy is said to have arisen earlier between the “Euphoria” star and her rumored secret husband.

Reports suggested that Zendaya was uneasy about Holland’s close interactions with co-star Sweeney whenever he visited the set of “Euphoria,” and allegedly did not want the actress getting too close to him.

According to reports, Holland’s behavior was not flirtatious or inappropriate. However, Zendaya was still reportedly uncomfortable with the pair talking because she did not trust Sweeney.

While apparently not trying to control who Holland spoke to, Zendaya allegedly did not want someone she “doesn’t necessarily trust getting close to her fiancé.”

The Actress Says Working With Holland Is ‘A Dream’

Sadly for Zendaya, she did not get to film any scenes with Holland in “The Odyssey.” However, she revealed that reprising her role in the latest “Spider-Man” film felt like “coming home.”

The couple first met on the set of “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” the first installment in the franchise led by Holland.

Speaking about working on “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” she called the experience a “dream,” explaining that going to work felt like a “family affair.”

“And then ‘Spider-Man’ was a dream; I get to go to work every day with my best friend, the person that I love,” she added about Holland. “We bring our dogs to work; it’s like a family affair. We grew up on those movies! It’s like coming home.”

Zendaya Is Ready To Slip Into ‘Auntie Mode’

In her conversation with ELLE, Zendaya also revealed she is looking forward to slowing down and slipping into “auntie mode,” which means spending more time attending school plays for her nieces and nephews, showing up for their games, and helping with other family projects.

During a recent trip to her hometown of Oakland, where many of her family members still live, the actress reportedly helped one of her nieces redecorate her bedroom.

Her grandmother’s kitchen was another recent family effort. “I call my big brother, and he brings his tools, and then it’s YouTube university, and we just start doing stuff,” she said.

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 19 seconds ago

What do you think the most important superhero movie ever made was? You might be tempted to throw out films like Avengers: Endgame, which many still consider the peak of tights-and-flights cinema. Alternatively, you might throw out classic films, like the 1978 Superman or 1989 Batman, which proved superheroes had a place on the big screen. Arguably, though, the most important superhero film was Sam Raimi’s first Spider-Man movie. It created the template (a combination of action, humor, and killer set pieces) that almost all 21st century cape content would follow, and it influenced the Marvel Cinematic Universe so much that Toby Maguire’s web-head played a pivotal role in Spider-Man: No Way Home. 

That film also saw the return of Willem Dafoe’s Green Goblin, a foe first introduced in Raimi’s first Spider-Man movie. Dafoe was instantly iconic in this role, and his captivatingly crazy performance is a big part of why that film works so well. However, would you believe that Dafoe almost didn’t get the part? Nicolas Cage recently disclosed that he had spoken directly to Raimi about playing the cackling supervillain, and Dafoe only got cast once Cage backed out of the project.

No Cage For This Spider

Nicolas Cage dropped this juicy morsel of gossip in a recent interview with People. Ironically enough, he spoke to the outlet at the recent premiere of Spider-Noir, the live-action solo show dedicated to the character he voiced in the Spider-Verse films. He disclosed that, back in 2002, he spoke to director Sam Raimi and had the option of starring as the Green Goblin in Spider-Man. However, he turned the opportunity down to star in Adaptation instead, a decision he believes was “the right choice.”

While Cage believed this was the right choice for his career, it was also the right choice for the movie. At the time, Cage was arguably a bit too iconic to play the role, having established himself as major Hollywood force in the ‘80s with hit films like Peggy Sue Got Married and Raising Arizona. In the ‘90s, he became an action hero in films like The Rock and Con Air, and he got to play both villain and hero in Face/Off. Throw in his highly-public attempt to star as Superman, and Cage was just too big for the role of Green Goblin compared to Willem Dafoe, who had spent decades playing quirky outsiders.

A Little Too Zany

Now, I love Nicolas Cage, both in his vintage hits and in more recent films, like the sublime Mandy. But when someone casts Cage in a movie, they do so knowing that he only has one setting: intense. Sometimes, you get the over-the-top line deliveries and manic energy that has been lovingly labeled “Cage Rage” by his fans. But even when Cage isn’t actively freaking out onscreen, his intensity smolders so hot that it seems it could boil over at any time. Does this make for captivating movies? Of course! But the intensity makes it that much harder for Cage to play a man with two lives.

That’s part of why he would have been terrible as Green Goblin, a character who is a CEO and father figure by day and a murderous supervillain by night. Cage wouldn’t have been able to pull this off because we would always see the Goblin simmering under the surface of Norman Osborne. But Willem Dafoe is so deft in his performance as the supervillain that he often seems like two completely different characters trapped in one body. The transformation from Jekyll to Hyde is stunning to witness, and it’s no surprise that most of the early Spider-Man memes focused on Dafoe’s character.

Begun, The Noir Wars Have

There are other reasons why Nicolas Cage would have been a terrible Green Goblin, including the fact that he would have overshadowed everyone else in the film. Mostly, though, the movie would have been a waste of his particular talents. Cage always brings a wacky trademark energy to films that would have been out of place in Sam Raimi’s first Spider-Man movie. However, that energy made him weirdly perfect to voice Spider-Man Noir in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. That character proved so popular that he’s now getting his own solo show on Prime Video.

Nicolas Cage makes his live-action debut as Spider-Noir on May 27th. The eight-episode series will be in black and white, giving audiences an extensive look at how well Cage can bring this surprise favorite character to life. Will he lend some of his over-the-top energy to this Prime Video show? If so, be sure to close your eyes and really soak up the experience. After all, this might be the closest we’ll ever come to seeing (or not seeing, if you still have your eyes closed like a good boy!) this acclaimed actor play as the Green Goblin.

Max Thieriot broke his silence on how season 5 of Fire Country will differ following a showrunner shakeup, a possible time jump and more.

The season 4 finale, which aired on Friday, May 22, ended on a surprisingly happy note with everyone celebrating at Jake’s (Jordan Calloway) wedding without any last minute deaths or dangerous emergencies in Edgewater.

“When we started off the year, we weren’t certain if we wanted to leave some things really up in the air or have a hopeful and joyful ending,” Thieriot, 37, exclusively told Us Weekly. “We want to leave somewhere that really feels like next season we get to see that new chapter and all these characters’ lives.”

Thieriot called it the “strongest decision.”

Related: Which ‘Fire Country’ Stars Are — And Aren’t — Returning for Season 5?

Fire Country has experienced cast — and showrunner — departures amid budget cuts, so which cast members are and aren’t returning for season 5? The CBS series, which premiered in 2022, introduced Us to the town of Edgewater after inmate Bode (Max Thieriot) returned home and began volunteering for the California Conservation Camp Program. By […]

“You want to be left with something but also this will give us a chance to really get to see these characters evolve and get to see them take the next steps in their lives. There is real progression for them,” he hinted. “After losing Vince [played by Billy Burke] at the beginning of the year, a wedding is symbolic of new beginnings.”

He continued: “We want to start next season with new stuff and bring in some new characters and really build out new story lines for each character. It’s a fun and fresh way to end and it gives us a really great fresh start for the next season.”

Looking ahead at season 5, Thieriot promised some surprises, saying, “You don’t want to miss too much, so I think we’re going to pick up shortly after. But we get to find these people in that next phase of their life and then it really builds stories for the season that are new chapters for each character.”

Keep scrolling as Thieriot breaks down that name drop, the showrunner change and more:

Will There Be a Time Jump?

Thieriot noted that season 5 wouldn’t be a “direct pickup” but there wouldn’t be too much time lost, adding, “It is new season, new challenges, new faces — not that we’re exiting people but just allowing the show to evolve and find new fresh things.”

How Will a New Showrunner Evolve the Voice of the Show?

Following Tia Napolitano‘s exit from the show, Fire Country is preparing to usher in Eric Guggenheim as the new showrunner for season 5.

“We’ve done so many episodes and I have so much respect for Tia. What she’s done with the show to get us to this point [is so important]. Eric is new to me, and new to a lot of us and he has his own ideas and he’s very collaborative,” Thieriot told Us. “Having new voices is fun, right? Because you get new ideas, new thoughts and new perspective. It allows us to also stand back and hear different perspective on things.”

Thieriot promised “new possibilities” for the show.

“Eric really brings in a lot of experience with all of his previous work and the shows that he’s been involved with. At the same time, he knows what the show is and respects what’s been built,” he continued. “He’s not trying to totally change what this series is. He’s just bringing in a fresh take and fresh look and fresh perspective. It’s helping explore new avenues for the characters.”

How Will the Show Keep Honoring the Characters Who Left?

“Obviously, Vince and Gabs are huge parts of the show and will always be. You don’t want those characters to just disappear,” he said about Billy Burke and Stephanie Arcila’s departures from the show. “They affect and will continue to affect the decisions other characters make going forward.”

Thieriot specifically mentioned Gabriela getting name-dropped in the finale.

“Honestly [keeping their memory alive without them around] was more challenging than everybody expected as we started going into season 4. They’re two very important characters to show and it changes dynamics. It changes how we see certain scenes,” he noted. “It creates its own set of challenges with the writing process. Throughout the season, we started to figure out what that was.”

The actor also pointed out the addition of new faces, adding, “Bringing in some new characters will allow us to have new fresh stories. It’s not just the same people we’re talking about everything with each other. That’s something that I’m looking forward to is getting to see who we’re going to bring in and how they’re going to not only impact our characters but how they’re going to play a part in the series.”

What About Bode’s Love Life?

In addition to Gabriela, Bode said goodbye to girlfriend Audrey (Leven Rambin) in season 4. Now the main character has found love with Chloe (Alona Tal), who will presumably stick around into season 5.

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“Their relationship is a more mature relationship in a lot of ways than he’s had,” Thieriot said. “Her outlook on life and the life that she lived at this point is more mature in a lot of ways. It has been easy for him and has kept him a little more stable.”

Could Gabriela Return?

“We try and leave as many doors open as we always can,” Thieriot explained. “Just because they’re not together anymore doesn’t mean that we’ll never see her again.”

When asked if the new spinoff medical series in the works could be a way to bring Gabriela back, Thieriot teased, “We’re actively fleshing out those stories and the development process. What we’re cooking up is really exciting and feels very, very Edgewater. But it is also unique in the landscape of medical TV shows.”